Best Online Master’s in Sport Management
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Sport management careers offer exciting jobs working on the administrative side of collegiate, olympic, and professional athletics.
The sports industry is a constantly changing field that generates a lot of revenue. Employers value candidates with advanced interpersonal skills and a background in management, both of which a master’s in sport management provides.
Master’s in sport management programs prepare students for lucrative, in-demand careers. For example, graduates can work as athletic agents or business managers, who make a mean annual salary of over $120,100 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS).
This guide ranks the best online master’s in sport management degree programs to help students find the right fit for their goals. This page also covers other important information for prospective students, including common courses and potential careers and salaries for graduates.
Featured Online Schools
The Best Online Master’s in Sport Management Programs
The University of Florida
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate37%
- Students Enrolled52,407
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Georgetown University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$55,440
- Out-of-state$55,440
- In-State$51,336
- Out-of-state$51,336
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate14%
- Students Enrolled19,593
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A&M University
- College Station, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,941
- Out-of-state$34,190
- In-State$6,677
- Out-of-state$18,700
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled68,726
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Miami
- Coral Gables, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,400
- Out-of-state$50,400
- In-State$37,800
- Out-of-state$37,800
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate27%
- Students Enrolled17,811
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Georgia Southern University
- Statesboro, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,371
- Out-of-state$15,425
- In-State$4,977
- Out-of-state$19,890
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled26,054
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
American University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$49,070
- Out-of-state$49,070
- In-State$30,351
- Out-of-state$30,351
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate36%
- Students Enrolled14,318
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- Durant, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,240
- Out-of-state$14,880
- In-State$4,716
- Out-of-state$10,872
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled5,049
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
University of the Southwest
- Hobbs, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$16,000
- Out-of-state$16,000
- In-State$22,500
- Out-of-state$22,500
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled875
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,756
- Out-of-state$30,756
- In-State$18,810
- Out-of-state$18,810
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled113,514
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
Canisius College
- Buffalo, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,940
- Out-of-state$27,940
- In-State$14,760
- Out-of-state$14,760
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled3,102
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Programs
Masters in Sport Management
2023
Online Master’s in Sport Management Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
What Is an Online Master’s in Sport Management Degree?
The best master’s in sport management programs focus on developing leadership skills, covering areas like strategic planning, risk management, financial management, and sport marketing. A sport management master’s degree also helps students hone soft skills in areas like collaboration and communication.
The ideal applicants for a master’s in sport management program holds a bachelor’s degree in a related field and has previous professional experience, though some programs may accept students with an unrelated bachelor’s degree. Applicants may also need to submit letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, and a resume.
Choosing an Online Program
Online master’s in sport management degree programs can come in a variety of formats. For instance, some programs deliver courses asynchronously, meaning students can watch lectures and complete assignments at their convenience within set deadlines. Students seeking more structure may prefer synchronous programs, which have set login times. The link below provides additional information about how to choose an online program.
What Else Can I Expect From a Master’s in Sport Management Program?
An online sport management master’s degree prepares graduates for jobs at all levels of sports, including professional, amateur, recreational, collegiate, olympic, and interscholastic. The following sections outline common courses found in these programs, common careers and salaries for graduates, and relevant organizations and professional certifications for sport management professionals.
Master’s in Sport Management Curriculum
Sport Management Certifications and Licenses
NBPA Certification: To represent talent in one of the four major U.S. sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL), a sports agent must obtain certification from the players’ union. For example, pro basketball agents must apply for an NBPA license, which requires applicants to hold a degree from an accredited college or university and successfully pass a 50-question proctored exam.
NIAAA Certification: This voluntary certification is awarded upon completion of a professional development program in interscholastic athletic administration. There are five NIAAA certification levels, each requiring a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants for the certified athletic administrator credential need at least two years of experience as an athletic administrator.
Sport Management Professional Organizations
Sport management students and graduates can take advantage of professional organizations, which offer networking, professional development, and continuing education opportunities. They may also offer job and mentorship opportunities or discounts on professional resources.
North American Society for Sport Management
NASSM furthers sport management research, study, and academic writing. The organization’s official research journal, the Journal of Sport Management, focuses on the governance, management, and marketing of sport organizations.
Founded in 2002, SMA develops and expands the knowledge of sport marketing professionals by providing them with networking opportunities, online forums, and career development opportunities.
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics
With more than 12,500 members, NACDA is the largest association of collegiate athletic administrators in North America. Members have access to continuing education and networking opportunities.
Careers in Sport Management
Graduates with an online sport management master’s degree can pursue careers in areas like public relations, management, and coaching. The following list outlines a few example job opportunities available to sport management graduates.
